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Hello everyone! I'm currently serving in the Army and am set to be married in May. My fiance and I are interested in getting a dog shortly after we get married. I havnt been able to have a pet in the past 4 years since I have been living in the barracks but my family always had a dog when I was growing up. The best dog we ever had was a rottie. She was an amazing dog. Smart, affectionate, friendly to strangers, and protective when she needed to be. Anyways. We are moving into a townhouse once we're married and the landlord has a weight limit of 45lbs. So far we have been looking at Pugs, English Bulldogs (although over the weight limit apparenly), and Boston Terriers. My dad actually just started breeding Bichon Frises and offered us one but the grooming maintanance seems a bit much for me to be honest. If anyone here has any recommendations I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

i have french bulldogs. three of them. they all average 22-24 pounds weight. the breed standard is 22-28 pounds. they are shorter in legs and stockier in build than the boston terrier and a little more mellower on the norm. but my females tend to be more hyper than my male. they are great family pets. excellent with children and other pets. and love affection 24/7.

If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest that he wear a tail.

To answer your question I prefer larger dogs. I dont dislike smaller dogs but I am more used to larger ones. German Shepard, Rottie, Alaskan Malemute (I'm almost positive I spelled that wrong sorry), but I dont have the option of a large breed. The weight limit at our townhome is 45 pounds. No big dog for me. The small dogs that I am more fond of though are a bit stocky though. Pugs, Boston Terrier (which isnt that stocky but oh well).

German Pinscher (doesn't say weight, but I don't think they weigh much, they are only 17-19 inches) Staffordshire Bull Terrier (24-37lbs) Beagle(22-30lbs)

These are dogs I would choose, but I wouldn't want to own a small dog (I still like them tho;),

How much exercise can you provide it? If lots, look into hunting dogs, there are a few dogs that would fit into that weight category (English Springer Spaniels). And do you want short hair/long hair, or does it matter?

I did consider the French Bulldog. But they look a bit much like a bat. No offense to you or your dogs by any means. I've also never really met one in real life so all I know of them is what I have seen in pictures. Thanks for all the replies so far folks. Very appreciated.

My family has also owned a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Her name was Lexi. Very sweet dog. Black with a white chest, white paws, and white between her eyes. The only prblem with them. Since I'm in the military I will be moving every 3 years or so. Unfortunately many homeowners associations and such wont allow the breed. They are though to be along the same lines as a Pit Bull and categorized a as "vicious breed" so when I move it would limit my options on where I could live. not fair to me or to dog unfortunatley.

Wow I'm horrible/new with forums. Sorry for the 1 million posts guys. To answer other questions. I would PREFER a dog that doesnt shed too much. Our rottie once we moved from Ohio to Florida would shed constantly. Short black hair everywhere. No way around it. I also prefer a dog with short hair. As far as exercise goes it really doesnt matter too much. I have to run a lot anyway so it would be easy to take my dog running. Thanks again.

I have 2 Pharaoh Hounds. Emmy weighs 42 lbs & Winston weighs 44 lbs. They don't shed very much, they're very friendly & they're easy to train. They can be stubborn at times. I live in the Florida panhandle & they have no problem with the heat.

How about going to your local Humane Society/Shelter, Dog Warden/Pound and see what is available and perhaps rescue a sweetie pie? I have gotten several of my dogs from the Humane Society and they all have been great pets. The people at the Humane Society can usually answer any question for you and they know a lot of stuff about most of the animals there, specially if someone turned their pet over to them, they ask the previous owner questions about the animal and then they pass it on to people who are interested in that pet. Good luck with the wedding and with finding that perfect pet! :)

I have a Bichon Frise/Westie mix named Cody and he is a real sweetheart. He does not shed much at all, we take him to the groomers every 6 weeks and that cost is $35.00 but we don't mind that at all. I do brush him everyday, just a quick going over but I enjoy doing this and he enjoys having it done so it is not a chore for me. I know people who don't take their Bichons but for about every 6 months or so and I will admit, it shows but to each their own. Cody is not a yappy dog at all, in fact, don't tell him that he is small, he thinks he is a big, rough, tough guy and he'll prove it too! Here is a pic of Cody just being himself, happy go lucky!

Australian shepherds and border collies might fit the size requirement, but could shed.

My personal recommendation is to look into rat terriers. They are UKC/AKC-FSS. If you want a medium-sized dog, I think you would be interested in the "Decker" line of rat terriers which mature to 25-30 lbs. They have a short coat and are a good smaller dog for a "big dog" person. Pretty much any terrier will give you a big dog personality in a small package--hard to go wrong! Here's a website about them:

I have a Boston she is a little hyper but other than that perfect, and that is just annoying when she is fighting me for the window seat in the car LOL! She is very easy to groom I only bathe her once a month and clip her nails, clean ears and such. Very simple and she sheds very little. Plus she is a lot of fun I have housetrained in the course of about a month and she can already sit, stand, come, and stay. She is 3 months old.

First of all, congrats on your upcoming wedding and secondly THANK YOU for serving our country. There are quite a few dogs which fit into your ideals. May I suggest the AKC website and you can look at the various breeds, the website, includes heights, weights and personality traits. Also there are video clips you can look at.

I like him a lot better than I like most people. To you he's a dog. TO me he's an adopted son who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly. I have no problem with any of these. <

Hi Danny.. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding!! My husband is in the Marine Corps and we've been married 3 years as of today.. Its quite the experience you're in for!! As for dogs, I can't help ya on that front!! My husband is also a "big dog" kind of person.. His parents have Irish Setters.. I've had medium sized "mutts" (a "cockapoo" and a half brittany, half whatever the dad was), but I love ALL things furry!! I wanted a small dog just for the ease of it all.. Less food, less mess, that sort of thing.. Especially with all the moving we were in for.. I got talked outa that one REAL quick though.. We have 2 labs and a new husky.. AND 4 cats, but cats are cats, they're more or less furniture/decorations (low maintenance).. Thankfully our landlord/realtor has 7 dogs himself and was very understanding of us moving in with 3 cats and wanting to get a dog.. Then he was ok with a hamster.. Then he was ok with the 4th cat.. Then 2 dogs instead of one.. Now 3 dogs.. Renting a house has been MUCH better for us because I'd rather pay out of pocket for utilities than NOT have pets.. So far everywhere we've been has more or less had a ban on the number of animals, not the weight (except for ONE apartment we lived in, you had to pay extra for a dog over 50lbs).. And base housing does have limitations on certain breeds.. Some people skirt that whole issue by just not claiming pets, or not turning in pictures, but you don't want to risk anything with base housing.. They'll have your butt in a heartbeat!! I would DEFINATELY suggest looking at shelters in your area though.. The shelters here are FULL of dogs that people can't take with them when they move, move overseas (my brother in law got a shi tzu because in Korea your dog eats, sleeps and poops indoors, there are no yards in base housing), deploy, or if they get divorced.. Its quite sad really.. A LOT of them are purebreds as well.. Well, good luck to you!!

You might want to look towards a chinese shar pei in the mini size. They have the bulk of a bigger dog, but weigh about 40 lbs. If you go with a horse coat, the maintenance is minimal. Really look into their background though because this breed can have problems sometimes, but for the most part they are wonderful loyal dogs. I wouldn't have any other breed since I got my pei.